Senate unanimously confirms nominations

With no discussion, the Texas Senate on Wednesday unanimously confirmed the nominations of State Board of Education Chair Barbara Cargill, Secretary of State John Thomas Steen and others as recommended earlier this week.

Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, chairs the Senate Nominations Committee and presented the resolution, which passed with a 23-0 vote. On Feb. 11, Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, questioned Cargill, pointing out that she asked applicants to a curriculum writing team if they considered themselves a conservative, among other things.

But this week, Watson spoke in favor of Cargill, saying that his qualms were resolved during her testimony.

“She’s made the commitment – to me, the Senate and the people of Texas – that she won’t allow her personal politics to dictate how she leads the board or what kids learn in school,” Watson said in a statement, adding that he’d be watching Cargill’s actions closely.

After the committee hearing, Watson said he was confident that his peers in the senate would give Cargill the necessary two-thirds vote.

Cargill’s term expires in 2015, as does that of Secretary of State John Thomas Steen, of Bexar County, who was among those confirmed Wednesday.